EP3301683A1 - Réacteur nucléaire à tubes de force équipé d'un modérateur à basse pression et d'un ensemble de canal de combustible - Google Patents

Réacteur nucléaire à tubes de force équipé d'un modérateur à basse pression et d'un ensemble de canal de combustible Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3301683A1
EP3301683A1 EP17198778.7A EP17198778A EP3301683A1 EP 3301683 A1 EP3301683 A1 EP 3301683A1 EP 17198778 A EP17198778 A EP 17198778A EP 3301683 A1 EP3301683 A1 EP 3301683A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coolant
fuel
conduit
tube
plenum
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EP17198778.7A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3301683B1 (fr
Inventor
Metin Yetisir
Michel Gaudet
David Bruce Rhodes
James Mitchell KING
William T. DIAMOND
Jintong Li
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Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
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Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd AECL
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30—Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32—Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/322—Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C1/00—Reactor types
    • G21C1/04—Thermal reactors ; Epithermal reactors
    • G21C1/06—Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated
    • G21C1/08—Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being highly pressurised, e.g. boiling water reactor, integral super-heat reactor, pressurised water reactor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C1/00—Reactor types
    • G21C1/04—Thermal reactors ; Epithermal reactors
    • G21C1/06—Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated
    • G21C1/14—Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor
    • G21C1/16—Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor, sodium-heavy water reactor or organic coolant-heavy water reactor
    • G21C1/18—Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor, sodium-heavy water reactor or organic coolant-heavy water reactor coolant being pressurised
    • G21C1/20—Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor, sodium-heavy water reactor or organic coolant-heavy water reactor coolant being pressurised moderator being liquid, e.g. pressure-tube reactor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C13/00—Pressure vessels; Containment vessels; Containment in general
    • G21C13/02—Details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
    • G21C15/02—Arrangements or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant; Coolant flow control devices
    • G21C15/04—Arrangements or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant; Coolant flow control devices from fissile or breeder material
    • G21C15/06—Arrangements or disposition of passages in which heat is transferred to the coolant; Coolant flow control devices from fissile or breeder material in fuel elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
    • G21C15/22—Structural association of coolant tubes with headers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
    • G21C15/28—Selection of specific coolants ; Additions to the reactor coolants, e.g. against moderator corrosion
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30—Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32—Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30—Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32—Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/324—Coats or envelopes for the bundles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30—Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32—Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/326—Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different composition; comprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
    • G21C3/328—Relative disposition of the elements in the bundle lattice
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30—Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32—Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/336—Spacer elements for fuel rods in the bundle
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C5/00—Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator
    • G21C5/12—Moderator or core structure; Selection of materials for use as moderator characterised by composition, e.g. the moderator containing additional substances which ensure improved heat resistance of the moderator
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • the present subject matter of the teachings described herein relates generally to nuclear reactors, and more particularly nuclear reactors having coolant flowing through pressure tubes.
  • Some existing commercial pressure-tube type reactors include a plurality of individual fuel channels extending horizontally through a low-pressure vessel containing a heavy water moderator. Nuclear fuel bundles are placed within the pressure tube inside the fuel channel. A coolant fluid is circulated through the pressure tube and is heated by nuclear fission.
  • Coolant feeder pipes in some existing commercial pressure tube type reactors are an integral part of the primary heat transport system, connecting the in-reactor fuel channels to the headers with heat transport pipes.
  • the reactor core commonly has separate calandria tubes, providing passages for the pressure tubes through the low-pressure calandria vessel, and the pressure tubes extend through the calandria tubes.
  • Garter springs maintain spacing between each pair of a calandria tube and a pressure tube, and define an annulus.
  • a nuclear fuel bundle positionable within a nuclear reactor fuel channel assembly has an axial direction and a lateral direction and may include a first end face and a second end face axially spaced apart from the first end by a bundle length.
  • a plurality of elongate nuclear fuel elements may be supported by at least one spacer.
  • the fuel elements may extend in the axial direction and may be generally parallel to and laterally spaced apart from each other.
  • the plurality of fuel elements and spacer may be sized to be removably received within the fuel channel assembly.
  • a coolant tube passage may extend axially through the fuel bundle between a first aperture in the first end face and a second aperture in the second end face.
  • the coolant tube passage may be sized to removably receive a coolant fluid downflow tube provided in the fuel channel assembly, the tube passage extending from the first end face to the second end face to enable the coolant fluid downflow tube to pass through the fuel bundle and to enable the plurality of fuel elements to laterally surround the coolant fluid downflow tube when the fuel bundle is received within the fuel channel assembly.
  • the coolant tube passage may be laterally surrounded by the plurality of fuel elements and the coolant tube passage may be laterally centred in the fuel bundle.
  • the coolant tube passage may have a passage axial cross-sectional area that is greater than the axial cross-sectional area of at least some of the fuel elements.
  • the passage axial cross-sectional area may be greater than the axial-cross sectional area of each of the fuel elements, and/or may be at least about 150% the axial cross-sectional area of at least one of the fuel elements.
  • the fuel bundle may include a central bundle axis and a first set of the fuel elements may be positioned on a common circumference about the central bundle axis to form a first ring of fuel elements.
  • the first ring of fuel elements may be concentric with the central bundle axis.
  • the fuel bundle may have a generally round axial cross-sectional shape and may be rotationally symmetrical about a fuel bundle axis extending in the axial direction.
  • the first fuel elements may be laterally inboard of the second set of fuel elements.
  • the second cross-sectional area may be smaller than the first cross-sectional area.
  • the fuel bundle may be rotationally symmetrical about a fuel bundle axis extending in the axial direction.
  • a fuel channel assembly for a nuclear reactor may have an axial direction and a lateral direction and may include an inner conduit received within an outer conduit.
  • the outer conduit may have an outer upper end connectable to a coolant outlet and an outer lower end axially spaced apart from the outer upper end.
  • the inner conduit may have an inner upper end connectable to a coolant source and an inner lower end axially spaced apart from the inner upper end and disposed within the outer conduit to enable coolant to circulate from the coolant source to the coolant outlet through both the inner and outer conduits.
  • a fuel bundle chamber may be defined between an inner surface of the outer conduit and an outer surface of the inner conduit.
  • a pressure tube may surround at least a portion of the outer conduit.
  • the pressure tube may have an open pressure tube upper end to receive the outer conduit and the inner conduit and a closed pressure tube lower end configured to be submerged in a moderator and enclosing the inner and outer lower ends.
  • a thermal insulator may be disposed laterally between the outer conduit and the pressure tube to inhibit heat transfer from the outer conduit to the pressure tube.
  • the inner upper end may be disposed axially outside the outer conduit.
  • the inner conduit and outer conduit may be co-axial.
  • the inner conduit may be made of a first material and the outer conduit may be made from a second material.
  • the first material may have a different neutron absorption cross-section than the second material.
  • the inner upper end may be disposed axially within the outer conduit and may be positioned axially intermediate the outer conduit upper end and the outer conduit lower end.
  • the outer conduit may have a sidewall comprising at least one coolant inlet aperture to enable coolant fluid to pass through the outer conduit sidewall.
  • the at least one coolant inlet aperture may fluidly connect the inner upper end to the coolant source.
  • the inner upper end may be coupled to the outer conduit and when the fuel channel assembly is vertically installed in the nuclear reactor the inner conduit may be suspended from and at least partially supported by the outer conduit.
  • a fuel channel assembly for a nuclear reactor may have an axial direction and a lateral direction may include a coolant inlet fluidly connectable to an inlet plenum to receive a flow of coolant, a coolant outlet downstream from the coolant inlet and fluidly connectable to an outlet plenum and a fuel chamber fluidly intermediate the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet.
  • An inner conduit may be received within an outer conduit.
  • the outer conduit may have an outer conduit first end providing the coolant outlet, and an outer conduit second end axially spaced apart from the outer conduit first end.
  • a method of extracting thermal energy from a nuclear fuel bundle in a vertically oriented fuel channel assembly may include the steps of a) directing a flow of coolant fluid at a first temperature in a first direction within a coolant conduit passing through the fuel bundle, b) redirecting the flow of coolant fluid in a second direction substantially opposite the first direction through a chamber containing the fuel bundle and contacting the fuel bundle with the coolant fluid thereby transferring thermal energy from the fuel bundle to the coolant fluid and heating the coolant fluid to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature.
  • a fuel assembly for a pressure-tube nuclear reactor may include an inner conduit received within an outer conduit.
  • the outer conduit may have an outer conduit first end providing a coolant outlet fluidly connectable to an outlet plenum, and an outer conduit second end axially spaced apart from the outer conduit first end.
  • the inner conduit may have a first inner conduit end providing a coolant inlet fluidly connectable to an inlet plenum and upstream from the coolant outlet and an inner conduit second end axially spaced apart from the inner conduit first end and in fluid communication with the outer conduit second end to enable coolant to circulate from the coolant source to the coolant outlet through both the inner and outer conduits.
  • a fuel chamber may be fluidly intermediate the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet.
  • the fuel chamber may be defined between an inner surface of the outer conduit and an outer surface of the inner conduit.
  • the fuel chamber may fluidly connect the second inner conduit end and the first outer conduit end to enable the coolant to flow upward through the fuel chamber from the inner conduit second end to the coolant outlet.
  • a fuel bundle may be disposed in the fuel chamber and may at least partially laterally surround the inner conduit.
  • the fuel bundle may include a first end face and a second end face axially spaced apart from the first end by a bundle length.
  • the fuel bundle may also include a plurality of elongate nuclear fuel elements supported by at least one spacer. The fuel elements may extend in the axial direction and may be generally parallel to and laterally spaced apart from each other.
  • a passage may extend axially through the fuel bundle between the first end face and the second end face. The passage may be sized to removably receive the inner conduit and the inner conduit passing axially through the fuel bundle.
  • Outlet ends thereof may be fluidly connected to the coolant outlet plenum to enable the coolant fluid to circulate from the coolant inlet plenum through the fuel channel assemblies to the coolant outlet plenum.
  • Each fuel channel assembly may extend in an axial direction and may include an outer conduit.
  • the outer conduit may have an upper end and a lower end axially spaced apart from the upper end.
  • An inner conduit may be disposed at least partially within the outer conduit.
  • the inner conduit may have an upper end and a lower end, wherein one upper end of one of the inner and the outer conduits is in communication with the coolant inlet plenum and the other upper end of the other of the inner and outer conduits is in communication with the coolant outlet plenum.
  • the outlet plenum may be below the inlet plenum and at least a portion of the inner conduit may extend through the outlet plenum.
  • the outlet plenum may be received within the inlet plenum.
  • Coolant contained within the inlet plenum may circulate around the exterior of the outlet plenum.
  • the inner and outer conduits may be configured so that coolant enters the one inner end at a first velocity and exits the other inner end at a second velocity that is greater than the first velocity.
  • the second velocity may be at least twice as fast as the first velocity.
  • a tubesheet may be positioned between the moderator and the coolant inlet plenum and the coolant outlet plenum and each fuel channel assembly may pass through a respective opening in the tubesheet.
  • each pressure tube may include a laterally outwardly extending shoulder portion bearing against a complementary seat portion on the tubesheet.
  • the engagement between the shoulder portion and the seat portion may transfer at least some of the weight of the pressure tube to the tubesheet.
  • the first portion may be formed from a different material than the second portion.
  • a rim at the lower end of the first portion may be welded to the tubsheet and may provide a fluid tight connection between the tubesheet and the first portion.
  • the upper end of the first portion may be coupled to a wall of the coolant outlet plenum and may provide a fluid tight connection between the wall of the coolant outlet plenum and the first portion.
  • An active moderator cooling circuit may extend between an active moderator inlet to extract the moderator from the vessel, an active moderator return for returning the moderator to the vessel, a pump for driving an active flow of moderator fluid between the active inlet and the active outlet and a heat exchanger provided in the active flow to extract heat from the active flow of moderator fluid.
  • a passive moderator cooling circuit may extend between a passive inlet positioned toward the top of the vessel, a passive return positioned toward the bottom of the vessel and a heat exchanger provided between the passive inlet and the passive return.
  • a pressure-tube nuclear reactor may include an outer shell vessel for containing a moderator at a first pressure and a coolant inlet plenum provided above the moderator.
  • the reactor may include a coolant outlet plenum and one of the coolant inlet plenum and coolant outlet plenum may be within the other of the coolant inlet plenum and the coolant outlet plenum.
  • the reactor may include a plurality of fuel channel assemblies for a coolant fluid at a second, higher pressure.
  • the fuel channel assemblies may be fluidly connected at inlet ends thereof the coolant inlet plenum.
  • the fuel channel assemblies may be mounted within the outer shell vessel and may be surrounded by the moderator.
  • Coolant may flow from the coolant inlet plenum through said one upper to the lower ends of the inner and outer conduits and through the other upper end to the coolant outlet plenum.
  • a fuel bundle chamber may be defined between an inner surface of the outer conduit and an outer surface of the inner conduit. The fuel bundle chamber may at least partially laterally surround the inner conduit and may be configured to receive at least one nuclear fuel bundle. Coolant flow in the fuel bundle chamber passes through the fuel bundle.
  • the plurality of fuel channel assemblies maintaining separation between the coolant fluid circulating within the fuel channel assemblies and the moderator.
  • a passive moderator cooling circuit may extend between a passive inlet positioned toward the top of the outer shell vessel, a passive return positioned toward the bottom of the outer shell vessel and a heat exchanger provided between the passive inlet and the passive return.
  • This specification generally describes a pressure-tube type nuclear reactor having a relatively low-pressure moderator.
  • the moderator can be maintained at a pressure range of 0 MPa(g) to 2 MPa(g) and may be about 0.5 MPa(g).
  • the moderator may be a fluid or a solid.
  • the moderator is a heavy water fluid moderator.
  • the moderator can be any suitable moderator, fluid or solid, including for example, a graphite based solid moderator.
  • the teachings disclosed herein may be generally applicable to any pressure-tube type reactor.
  • the pressure-tube reactor is configured such that a pressurized coolant fluid is circulated through the fuel channel assemblies.
  • the coolant may be any suitable fluid, including, for example, light water, heavy water, molten salts, and molten metals and may be circulated as a liquid, gas, a mixed-phase flow and/or a super-critical fluid.
  • the fuel channel assemblies include a pressure tube that is submerged within the moderator and serve as a pressure barrier between the low pressure moderator and the high pressure coolant.
  • the coolant circulated within the fuel channel assemblies may be pressurized to pressures that are substantially higher than the pressure of the moderator, and may be, for example, may be any suitable pressure between about 8 MPa and about 26 MPa and/or may be up to about 30 MPa or higher.
  • the fuel channel assemblies can be arranged in any suitable pattern and/or orientation, including for example having circular, hexagonal, square or other suitable cross-sectional shapes. In the illustrated examples, the fuel channel assemblies are arranged generally vertically within the reactor core. Alternatively, the fuel channel assemblies may be arranged horizontally or at any other suitable angle based on alternative reactor core designs.
  • the calandria 102 may be formed from any suitable material, including, for example steel, and may be configured to contain the moderator at relatively low pressures, for example between about 100 kPa and about 2 MPa. In this configuration, the calandria 102 need not be a pressure vessel capable of containing high pressures. This may help simplify the design and construction of the calandria 102.
  • the configuration of the calandria 102 is simplified for the purposes of this description, and the calandria 102 may include a variety of fittings, ports, valves, reactor control mechanisms (such as moderator rods and/or control rods), sensors, control systems, cooling systems, cover gas circulation systems and a variety of other suitable components and apparatuses in any given installation.
  • Operating the calandria 102 as a low-pressure vessel may help simplify the installation and/or operation of these, and other, components as the components do not need to extend across a high-pressure boundary.
  • valves, pumps and other equipment used to circulate moderator liquid within the calandria need only to be able to operate at the relative low pressures (e.g.
  • reactor control systems such as the control and shutoff rods, that may pass through the side wall of the calandria.
  • the calandria 102 is illustrated as being generally circular in axial cross-sectional shape.
  • the calandria 102 may have any suitable configuration, and need not be cylindrical or have a circular axial cross-sectional shape.
  • a pressurized coolant plenum vessel 112 is connected to the upper rim 110 of the calandria 102.
  • the plenum vessel 112 is configured to supply coolant to a plurality of fuel channel assemblies 150 ( Figure 2 ) in the reactor 100 (only a single fuel channel assembly 150 is illustrated for clarity, and is described in more detail below) and to extract the heated coolant from the fuel channel assemblies 150 after the coolant has been heated by flowing past nuclear fuel bundles 160 ( Figure 8 ) contained within the fuel channel assemblies 150.
  • the coolant is pressurized to a higher pressure than the moderator, and the plenum vessel 112 is a pressure vessel capable of withstanding the operating temperatures and pressures of the coolant.
  • the plenum vessel 112 includes a tubesheet 114, a sidewall 116 and a cover 118 that cooperate to define a first plenum chamber 120.
  • the first plenum chamber 120 is in fluid communication with either an inlet or outlet of each fuel channel assembly to allow coolant to flow between the first plenum chamber 120 and each of the fuel channel assemblies.
  • One or more fluid ports can be provided in the plenum vessel 112 to allow coolant to flow in and out of the first plenum chamber 120.
  • the plenum vessel includes 4 ports 122 spaced apart from each other around the sidewall 116.
  • the ports 122 may be connected to any suitable conduits and/or pipes, and may include any suitable valves, flow regulators or other suitable apparatuses to control fluid flow through the ports.
  • the number of ports 122 can depend on a variety of factors, including expected coolant flow rates, coolant pressure, coolant temperature, plenum size, piping costs, desire for redundant coolant supply and physical space constraints.
  • the second plenum 124 may be removable from the first plenum chamber 120. This may help facilitate inspection and maintenance of the second plenum 124, and may help facilitate access to the tubesheet 114, fuel channel assemblies 150 and other portions of the plenum vessel 112 disposed below the second plenum 124.
  • the second plenum 124 is supported on a plurality of support brackets 134 extending from the sidewall 116.
  • the support brackets 134 may be integrally formed with the sidewall 116, or may be separate members joined to the sidewall 116. The size and number of support brackets 134 may be selected based on a variety of factors, including the strength of the second plenum 124, the strength of the support brackets 134, and the material of the support brackets 134.
  • the second plenum 124 separates the first plenum chamber 120 into an upper portion 136, above the second plenum 124, and a lower portion 138, below the second plenum 124.
  • the second plenum 124 is configured to allow coolant fluid to circulate between the upper and lower portions 136, 138 so that the upper and lower portions 136, 138 remain in fluid communication with each other.
  • the second plenum 124 is sized such that the width 140 of the second plenum 124 is less than the internal width 142 of the first plenum chamber 120 ( Figure 2 ).
  • a gap 144 ( Figure 3 ) is provided around the perimeter of the second plenum 124, between an outer surface of the second plenum sidewall 130 and an opposing inner surface of the first plenum sidewall 116.
  • the gap 144 provides a fluid flow path around the outside of the second plenum 124 to link the upper portion 136 and lower portion 138.
  • the size 146 of the gap 144 may be altered by varying the relative sizes of the first and second plenums.
  • incoming coolant may divide reasonably uniformly into the plurality of fuel channel assemblies 150.
  • flow control apparatus such as, for example orifice plates, may be used in some or all of the fuel channel assemblies.
  • the lid 132 may be connected to the sidewall 130 using releasable or detachable fasteners, such as screws 152, so that the lid 132 may be detachable from the sidewall 130. Allowing the lid 132 to be detached from the sidewall 130 may help facilitate inspection and maintenance of the second plenum 124. It may also allow access to the interior of the fuel channel assemblies 150 coupled to the bottom wall 128, which may allow for refueling, inspection of and/or maintenance access to the fuel channel assemblies 150.
  • opening the lid 132 of the second plenum 124 allows simultaneous access to all of the fuel channel assemblies 150.
  • the lid 132 may be provided in multiple sections, each of which allows access to only a portion of the fuel channel assemblies.
  • the pressure within the second plenum chamber 126 may be maintained at a pressure that is close to the operating pressure of the first plenum chamber 120.
  • the operating pressures in the first and second plenum 120, 126 may be within about 0.1-5 MPa of each other.
  • the bottom wall 128, lid 132 and sidewall 130 need not be configured to carry a high pressure load. This may allow the bottom wall 128, lid 132 and sidewall 130 to have lower strength than the cover 118, sidewall 116 and tubesheet 114.
  • the second plenum 124 may be configured to withstand a relatively large pressure differential.
  • the first plenum chamber 120 functions as a coolant inlet plenum
  • the ports 122 operate as coolant inlet ports
  • the second plenum chamber 126 functions as a coolant outlet plenum
  • its ports 154 Figures 1 , 4
  • the coolant inlet plenum 120 is in fluid communication with the inlet 156 of each fuel channel assembly 150 to supply coolant into each fuel channel assembly
  • the coolant outlet plenum 126 is in fluid communication with the coolant outlet 158 of each fuel channel assembly 150 to collect the heated coolant fluid.
  • Coolant may be supplied to the inlet plenum 120 at any suitable inlet temperature and inlet pressure.
  • the combination of inlet temperature and pressure desired may be based on the properties of a given reactor core design and/or nuclear fuel type.
  • the plenum vessel 112 can be configured to handle liquid coolants, gas coolants, mixed-phase coolants and super-critical coolant conditions.
  • the inlet temperature may be between about 100°C and about 370°C or more, and may be between about 260°C and about 350°C.
  • the inlet pressure may be between about 5 MPa and about 30 MPa or more, and may be between about 10 MPa and about 26 MPa.
  • the inlet conditions may be selected so that the incoming coolant remains sub-critical. This may help facilitate greater energy pickup from the fuel bundles 160 when the coolant flows through the fuel channel assembly 150.
  • the temperature difference between the inlet plenum 120 and outlet plenum 124 may be between about 250-300°C, or more. Such temperature differences may impart significant thermal stresses in the second plenum lid 132, sidewall 130 and bottom wall 128.
  • the outlet plenum 124 may be made from a variety of suitable materials, including, for example stainless steel and nickel-based super alloys.
  • the outlet plenum 124 may be thermally insulated using any suitable techniques and/or materials to help limit heat transfer between the plenums 120, 124 and to help reduce thermal stresses on the second plenum 124.
  • the lid 132, sidewall 130 and bottom wall 128 may be coated with an insulating material and/or made from multiple layers.
  • the second plenum 124 may be formed from materials that have desirable thermal properties, including, for example refractory materials and ceramic-based materials, instead of highly thermally conductive metals.
  • Heated coolant extracted from the outlet plenum 124 can be used to generate electrical power.
  • the heated coolant fluid can be used to directly drive suitable steam turbine generators (not shown). This may help improve the efficiency of a nuclear power generation station as the heated coolant may remain at a high temperature when it reaches the turbines.
  • the heated coolant may be used to heat a secondary circuit, for example via a steam generator, and the turbine generators may be driven by steam in the secondary circuit. Configuring the system to include a steam generator and secondary circuit may help increase the safety of the power generation system, but may reduce overall efficiency.
  • the tubesheet 114 in combination with the pressure tubes 162 ( Figure 2 , described below), forms part of the pressure barrier between the high pressure coolant and the low pressure moderator.
  • the tubesheet 114 may also separate the reactor core (containing fissile nuclear fuel) from the non-core portions of the reactor.
  • the tubesheet 114 includes a plurality of apertures 164 to accommodate the plurality of fuel channel assemblies 150.
  • the plenum vessel 112 is located outside the region of reactor core neutron flux, and need not be formed from a material having a low neutron absorption cross-section.
  • the plenum vessel 112 can be formed from any suitable material that can withstand the operating temperatures and pressures of the coolant, including, for example stainless steel, steel alloys and other ferrous metals.
  • the thickness of the tubesheet 114, sidewall 116 and cover 118 can be selected to provide a desired strength to contain the high pressure coolant, and may be based on the material used to form the plenum vessel 112.
  • different portions of the plenum vessel 112 may be formed from different materials.
  • the tubesheet 114 and sidewall 116 are integrally formed together. This may eliminate the need for connecting the sidewall 116 to the tubesheet114 and to seal such a connection with a seal capable of withstanding high pressures.
  • the sidewall 116 and tubesheet 114 may be formed as separate members.
  • some or all of the cover 118, side walls 116 and tubesheet 114 can have a wall thickness between 0.05m and 1.0m, or more, and in some examples may have a thickness of between about 0.4m and about 1.0m.
  • the cover 118 may be connected to the sidewall using releasable or detachable fasteners, such as studs 166, so that the cover 118 may be detachable from the sidewall 116 ( Figure 4 ). Allowing the cover 118 to be detached from the sidewall may help facilitate inspection and maintenance of the inlet plenum 120 and may allow access to the second plenum 124. Opening the cover 118 and lid 132 may also facilitate the fueling and re-fueling of the reactor 100.
  • a separate shield can be located in any suitable location as known in the art, including, for example, between the tubesheet 114 and the calandria 102 and above/ surrounding the cover 118. In the illustrated example, there may be about 0.5m to about 1 m or more of fuel-free moderator surrounding the fuel-filled space within the calandria 102. This moderator may act as a reflector and may provide shielding. The tubesheet 114 itself may also act as an additional shield member.
  • Each fuel channel assembly 150 is sized to accommodate one or more nuclear fuel bundles 160 (see for example Figure 7 ) and to contain a flow of circulating coolant flowing between the inlet plenum 120 and the outlet plenum 124.
  • each fuel channel assembly 150 has a coolant inlet 156, connected to a coolant supply source (e.g. the coolant inlet plenum 120) and a coolant outlet 158 downstream from the coolant inlet 156, that is connected to a coolant outlet conduit (e.g. the coolant outlet plenum 124).
  • the fuel bundles 160 are positioned within the fuel channel assembly 150 in the flow path of the coolant, between the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet.
  • a single fuel channel assembly 150 is illustrated for clarity, but it is understood that some or all of the features of the fuel channel assembly 150 illustrated may be incorporated in some or all of the fuel channel assemblies used in a given reactor.
  • each fuel channel assembly 150 includes a pressure tube (for example pressure tube 162, Figure 2 ), one or more insulator members (for example insulator 216, Figure 5 ) and a fuel assembly 151 ( Figures 5a-5d ).
  • the fuel assembly 151 may include a plurality of components, including inner and outer conduits that are connected to each other and can be manipulated in unison (for example during fueling, re-fueling and/or maintenance operations).
  • the insulator members may form part of the fuel assembly, and may be fixed to and movable with the inner and outer conduits.
  • the fuel assembly 151 includes an inner conduit 172 received within an outer conduit 174 and a fuel bundle chamber 176 defined by the space between the outer surface of the inner conduit 172 and the opposed inner surface of the outer conduit 174.
  • the inner and outer conduits 172, 174 are received within the pressure tube 162.
  • the pressure tube 162 provides both pressure and fluid separation between the moderator and the coolant circulating within the fuel channel assembly 150.
  • another pressure tube 162 is illustrated in Figure 3 without an inner conduit 172 or inner conduit 174.
  • the fuel bundle chamber 176 is configured to receive corresponding nuclear fuel bundles 160.
  • the fuel assembly 151 has a fuel channel assembly axis 178 ( Figure 5a ) defining an axial direction and has a lateral or radial direction that is generally orthogonal to the fuel channel assembly axis 178.
  • the lower portion 184, coupling 186 and upper portion 188 may be connected to each other using any suitable connection means that is compatible with the configuration and materials of the liner tube 174, including, for example welds, mechanical connections, interference fits, threaded couplings and other mechanisms.
  • the coolant downflow tube 172 and liner tube 174 are generally circular in axial cross-sectional shape and are concentric with each other.
  • the fuel bundle chamber 176 is generally annular in shape and is configured to receive generally cylindrical fuel bundles 160.
  • the coolant downflow tube and liner tube may have any other suitable cross-sectional shape and the fuel bundle chamber may have another shape.
  • the pressure tube 162 is sealed to the tubesheet 114 and forms part of the pressure boundary between the high pressure coolant and the lower pressure moderator.
  • the pressure tube 162 has an upper end 192 ( Figure 3 ) that is connected to the bottom wall 128 of the outlet plenum 124, and a closed lower end 194 ( Figure 2 ).
  • the closed lower end 194 of the pressure tube 162 contains the coolant exiting the coolant downflow tube 172 and helps direct the coolant upward into the fuel bundle chamber 176, as illustrated by arrows 198 ( Figure 5d ).
  • the bottom end of the liner tube 174 may be closed to contain the coolant.
  • coolant flowing out of the inner conduit 172 flows into and is contained by the closed liner tube 174.
  • the closed end of the liner tube 174 then helps direct the coolant upward into the fuel bundle chamber 176, as illustrated by arrows 198.
  • the pressure tube 162 may be formed from any material having a desired combination of mechanical strength and low neutron-absorption cross section, including, for example zirconium based alloys.
  • the liner tube 174 has a first or upper end 200 that is fluidly connected to the coolant outlet plenum 124 and serves as the fuel channel assembly coolant outlet 158, and a second or lower end 202 that is axially spaced apart from the upper end by an axial liner tube length 204 ( Figure 5a ).
  • the length 204 may be selected to be any suitable length that is compatible with other components of the reactor 100, and may be, for example, between about 1 m and about 10 m, between about 4 m and about 6 m, and may be about 5 m.
  • the lower portion 184 of liner tube 174 has a lower tube diameter 206.
  • the lower tube diameter 206 may be selected to be any suitable size which is sufficient to slidingly or removably receive a corresponding fuel bundle 160 (e.g. is at least as large as the fuel bundle outer diameter 208) and which, when arranged in combination with the coolant downflow tube, provides a fuel bundle chamber of sufficient width to fit the fuel bundle.
  • the lower tube diameter may be between about 0.05 m and about 0.75 m, between about 0.10 m and about 0.30 m, and may be about 0.14 m to about 0.15m.
  • the lower tube diameter 206 may be about 0.145m.
  • the upper portion 188 of the liner tube 174 has an upper diameter 210, that is smaller than the lower diameter 206, and the coupling 186 provides a transition between the lower diameter 206 and upper diameter 210.
  • the upper diameter 210 may be selected so that it is smaller than the outer diameter 208 of the fuel bundle 160.
  • the upper diameter 210 may be generally equal to or larger than the lower diameter 206.
  • Providing a smaller upper diameter 210 may affect the flow of coolant within the liner tube 174.
  • the narrowing of the liner tube 174 may increase the velocity of the coolant as it flows through the upper portion 188, relative to the lower portion 184.
  • the upper diameter 210 is smaller than the fuel bundle outer diameter 208, providing a coupling 186 that is separable from the lower portion 184 may help facilitate insertion and/or removal of the fuel bundle 160 from the lower portion 184.
  • the coupling 186 comprises a plurality of coolant inlet ports 212, that can be fluidly connected to the coolant downflow tube 172 as explained herein, to help facilitate the flow of coolant from the inlet plenum 120, through the sidewall 214 of the liner tube 174 and into the coolant downflow tube 172.
  • the liner tube 174 may include any desired number of inlet ports 212, and the inlet ports may be of any suitable shape.
  • the inlet ports 212 may be provided on any portion of the liner tube 174, and need not be provided on the coupling 186.
  • the liner tube 174 may be formed from any suitable material that has sufficient mechanical strength and is able to withstand the outlet coolant conditions (optionally high temperature and high pressure).
  • the lower portion 184 may be made from a material that has a desirably low neutron absorption cross-section, including, for example, zirconium alloys.
  • the liner tube 174 may be insulated to help inhibit heat transfer across the sidewall 214. Insulating the liner tube 174 may help reduce thermal stresses on the liner tube 174, and may help reduce transfer of heat from the liner tube 174 to other components of the fuel channel assembly 150, such as the surrounding pressure tube 162.
  • the pressure tube 162 is submerged in the moderator which is at a relatively lower temperature, while the coolant flowing through the fuel channel assembly 150 is heated to a substantially hotter temperature. Reducing the heat transfer from the liner tube 174 to the surrounding pressure tube 162 may help reduce the thermal gradient, and resulting stresses, faced by the pressure tube 162.
  • the fuel channel assembly 150 includes an insulator 216 that is sized to be received the lower portion 184 of the liner tube 174.
  • the insulator 216 has an inner diameter 218 sized to closely receive the lower portion 184, and an outer diameter 220 sized to fit within the pressure tube 162.
  • the insulator 216 fits relatively snugly around the outer surface of the lower portion 184 to help encourage coolant to flow upwards within the liner tube 174, as opposed to flowing in an annular space created between the lower portion 184 and the insulator 216.
  • the insulator may be provided on the outside of the pressure tube 162.
  • the insulator 216 may be fixedly attached to the liner tube 174, or may be separable or removable from the liner tube 174. Fixing the insulator 216 to the liner tube 174 may help simplify handling and position of the liner tube 174 and insulator 216 within the pressure tube 162. Providing the insulator 216 as a separate member may allow for the insulator 216 to be separately positioned, inspected and/or replaced independent of the liner tube or other fuel channel assembly components.
  • the insulator 216 may be formed from any suitable material having desired heat insulating properties, and optionally desirable neutron absorption-cross section properties, including, for example ceramic materials and refractory materials.
  • the insulator 216 may be provided in two or more separate elements/ parts.
  • the bottom wall 128 of the outlet plenum may be exposed to higher temperatures than the tubesheet 114 and may thermally expand in the lateral direction by a different amount than the tubesheet 114. Differences in thermal expansion between the bottom wall and the tubesheet may cause the apertures 148 in the bottom wall 128 to laterally shift relative to the corresponding apertures 164 in the tubesheet 114. Such shifts may cause slight misalignment between the bottom wall apertures 148 and the tubesheet apertures 164, which may exert bending forces portions of the fuel channel assembly 150, for example the pressure tube 162, extending between the apertures 148, 164.
  • the connection between the pressure tube 162 and the bottom wall 128 can be configured to accommodate for such misalignment.
  • a bellows member 226 is used to connect the upper end 228 of the pressure tube 162 to the bottom wall 128.
  • the bellows 226 is designed to be more flexible than the pressure tube 162 and to deform resiliently to account for small amounts of lateral misalignment.
  • another resilient or compliant type of connector may be used to provide a suitably accommodating connection.
  • the two portions 230 and 232 may be integrally formed so that the pressure tube 162 is of unitary one-piece construction.
  • This may include pressure tubes 162 in which the portions 230 and 232 are different materials but are bonded in such a way that they cannot be readily separated from each other.
  • the two portions 230, 232 of the pressure tube 162 may be joined together using any suitable technique or mechanism.
  • the lower portion 232 and the pressure tube extension 230 are joined via co-extrusion, which provides a bond of sufficient strength and produces a generally integrally formed pressure tube 162.
  • this configuration separates the sealing (leak-tightness) aspects of the pressure tube 162a from the load bearing aspects of the pressure tube 162a. Separating the functional aspects of the pressure tube 162a may help simplify the design and construction of the pressure tube 162a and assembly of the reactor, and may help increase reliability of the fuel channel assembly.
  • the pressure tube extension 230a can be joined to both the bottom wall 128 and the tubesheet 114 using any suitable, fluid tight connection. This connection provides the liquid-tight seal between the fuel channel chamber 176 and the first plenum chamber 120.
  • the lower rim 280 of the pressure tube extension 230a is welded to the tubesheet 114.
  • the lower rim 280 may be welded around its outer perimeter (on the surface of the tubesheet 114), around its inner perimeter (within the apertures 164) or a combination of both locations.
  • the lower portion 232a of the pressure tube 162a is positioned within a corresponding opening 164 in the tubesheet 114.
  • the upper end of the lower portion 232a is joined to the tubesheet 114 using any suitable joint. In the illustrated example, the upper end is pressure rolled to the tubeheet 114.
  • the lower portion 232a of the pressure tube 162a includes a generally outwardly projection shoulder portion 235 that is configured to abut and bear against a corresponding seat portion 237 of the tubesheet 114.
  • the weight of the pressure tube 162a, along with the contents of the pressure rube 162a including the fuel channel assembly and coolant, is at least partially carried by the shoulder 265 and transferred to the tubesheet 114 via the seat portion 237.
  • the shoulder 235 and seat 237 may carry all, or substantially all of the load/ weight of the pressure tube 162a.
  • both the shoulder portion 235 extends around the entire perimeter of the lower portion 232a, and includes an engagement surface 239 that is inclined relative to the fuel channel axis 170.
  • the sear portion 237 includes a complimentary bearing surface 241, which is also inclined relative to the fuel channel axis 170.
  • the shoulder portion 235 need not extend continuously around the perimeter of the lower portion 232a, and the engagement surface 239 (an complimentary bearing surface 241) may be in any suitable orientation and need not be inclined as illustrated.
  • the material used to form the pressure tube extension 162 may be selected so that it has a thermal expansion co-efficient that is generally equal to, or is within about 5% to about 40% of the thermal expansion co-efficient of the bottom wall 128 of the outlet plenum 124. This may help reduce the magnitude of stresses at the joint between the pressure tube extension 230 and the bottom wall 128 caused by differences in the amount of thermal expansion between the bottom wall 128 and the pressure tube extension 230.
  • the coolant downflow tube 172 has a first or upper end 234 and is fluidly connected to the inlet plenum 120 and a second or lower end 236 that is axially spaced apart from the upper end by a downflow tube length 238.
  • the downflow tube length 238 may be selected so that the coolant downflow tube 172 will fit within the liner tube 174 and will extend through the entire length 240 of the fuel bundle 160, so that the lower end 236 of the coolant downflow tube 172 reaches, and optionally extends axially beyond the lower face 242 of the fuel bundle 160 in the fuel channel assembly 150 by an extension length 244 ( Figure 2 ).
  • Extending the coolant downflow tube 172 beyond the lower face 242 of the fuel bundle 160 may help balance the distribution of coolant flow within the fuel bundle chamber 176 before it reaches the lower face 242 of the fuel bundle 160.
  • one or more flow directors (not shown), including for example a baffle, vane, guide or other flow directing apparatus, may be provided axially between the lower face 242 of the fuel bundle 160 and the lower end 236 of the coolant downflow tube 172 to help modify or balance the coolant flow as it enters the fuel bundle chamber 176.
  • the downflow tube 172 has a diameter 246 that may be any suitable size that is compatible with the size and shape internal passage 180 in the fuel bundle 160 and that will cooperate with the liner tube 174 to provide an annular fuel bundle chamber 176 of desired size.
  • the diameter 246 may be between about 0.01 m and about 0.3 m, between about 0.03 m and about 0.15 m, between about 0.09m and about 0.1 m and may be about 0.094m.
  • the coolant downflow tube 172 may be a generally continuous tube, or alternatively may be formed from two or more conduit sections joined together using any suitable connection mechanism.
  • the coolant can flow downwardly from the inlet plenum 120 to the lower end 236 of the coolant downflow tube 172 without contacting or mixing with the fuel bundles 160 in the fuel bundle chamber 176, as illustrated by arrows 190, and can then be redirected after exiting the coolant downflow tube 172 to flow upwardly through the fuel bundle chamber 176 toward the upper end 200 of the liner tube 174, as illustrated using arrows 198.
  • This configuration may allow coolant to circulate from the coolant inlet plenum 120 to the coolant outlet plenum 124 through both the coolant downflow tube 172 and the small annular gaps between the liner tube 174 and the pressure tube.
  • the heated fluid may be less dense and/or in a different phase than the incoming fluid which may tend to urge the heated fluid upward within the fuel bundle chamber 176.
  • the pressure differential acting on the coolant also tends to urge the coolant to flow upward through the fuel bundle chamber 176.
  • Configuring the fuel channel assembly so that the thermal and pressure forces tend to act in concert, e.g. both urge the coolant to flow upwards, may help stabilize the coolant flow.
  • the reactor 100 may be configured so that the velocity of coolant flowing upwardly through the fuel bundle chamber 176 (for example water or molten salts or metals) is between about 2 m/s and about 20 m/s or more, and in the illustrated example may be between about 15 m/s and about 20 m/s.
  • the upper end 234 of the coolant downflow tube 172 is located within the liner tube 174 and is located below the upper end 200 of the liner tube 174.
  • the inlet ports 212 are connected to the coolant downflow tube 172 by feeder conduits 252.
  • the feeder conduits 252 provide a fluid-sealed connection between the inlet ports 212 and the coolant downflow tube 172.
  • portions of the liner tube 174 extending through the inlet plenum 120 are shrouded by the insulator and the pressure tube 162.
  • a plurality of coolant apertures 254 are provided in the sidewall 256 of the pressure tube 162 to allow coolant fluid from the inlet plenum 120 to pass through the sidewall 256 and flow into the annular chamber 258 defined between the pressure tube 162 and the liner tube 174.
  • the chamber 258 surrounds the inlet ports 212 in the liner tube sidewall 214, and coolant from the chamber 258 can flow into the ports 212 and into the coolant downflow tube 172.
  • the lower end of the chamber 258 is not sealed with a fluid tight seal.
  • annular gaps may be provided between the liner tube 174 and the insulator 216 and/or between the insulator 216 and the pressure tube 162. Providing such gaps may help facilitate insertion and removal of the liner tube 174 and/or insulator 216 within the pressure tube 162.
  • the size of the gaps may be controlled by varying the relative sizes of the liner tube 174 and the pressure tube 162 and/or insulator 216.
  • the gap may be relatively small so that it will have a relatively higher flow resistance than the feeder conduits 252 such that it provides a torturous flow path for the coolant in the chamber 258 and only a small amount of coolant will exit the chamber 258 via the gap and flow into the annular space between the liner tube 174 and the pressure 162 tube and/or insulator 216.
  • the coolant apertures 254 may be of any suitable shape and configuration.
  • the coolant apertures 254 may be generally circular openings, an example of which is illustrated as apertures 254a in Figure 23 .
  • the size and number of coolant apertures 254 may be selected based on a variety of factors, including, for example the desired coolant flow rate, the strength of the pressure tube sidewall 256 and the position and configuration of the inlet ports 212 on the liner tube sidewall 214.
  • the coolant apertures 254 may be positioned toward the bottom of the inlet plenum (e.g. generally adjacent the tubesheet 114). Positioning the coolant apertures 254 toward the bottom of the coolant plenum may help facilitate coolant in the inlet plenum flowing into the fuel channel assemblies 150 by gravity in the event of power loss or during accident conditions and circulating through the channels 150 via natural circulation driven by the heating of the coolant within the fuel bundle chamber 176.
  • FIG. 12 A schematic representation of coolant flow through reactor 100 and fuel channel assembly 150 is illustrated in Figure 12 .
  • an example of a nuclear fuel bundle that is compatible with the fuel channel assembly 150 includes a first end face 242 and a second end face 268 axially spaced apart from the first end face 242, along the fuel bundle axis 182, by the bundle length 240.
  • the bundle length 240 may be any suitable length, and may be between about 0.2 m and about 5 m or more.
  • the fuel bundle 160 may be a single continuous bundle or may be made up of multiple, separate bundle portions.
  • the fuel bundle 160 includes a plurality of elongated nuclear fuel elements 270 that extend axially within the fuel bundle 160.
  • Each fuel element 270 contains one or more pellets of nuclear fuel material.
  • the nuclear fuel in the bundle 160 may be any fuel suitable for burning in a pressure-tube reactor, including, for example, natural uranium, enriched uranium, plutonium, thorium, mixtures thereof, and any other suitable, fissile fuel.
  • the fuel bundle 160 is of generally circular axial cross-sectional area, and is generally rotationally symmetrical about axis 178.
  • a schematic representation of cross-sectional view of the fuel bundle 160 illustrates the fuel elements 270a and 270b having different cross-sectional areas arranged concentrically about the passage 180 containing the coolant downflow tube 172.
  • a schematic representation of cross-sectional view of another example of a fuel bundle 160 includes fuel elements 270 that are configured so that they are generally identical to each other, and have a generally equal axial cross-sectional area.
  • a fuel bundle 160 may include two concentric rings of fuel elements 270a and 270b in which the fuel elements 270a in the outer ring have a larger diameter than the fuel elements 270b.
  • the fuel bundle 160 may include one or more conduits or passages to receive the coolant downflow tube 172.
  • the fuel bundle 160 passage 180 extends axially through the fuel bundle 160 between a first aperture in the first end face 242 and a second aperture 276 (illustrated by a dashed line) in the second end face 268.
  • the apertures may be holes or other openings in a spacer 272 or fuel bundle end plate, or alternatively may be voids or gaps provided by the absence of fuel elements 270 in a given portion of the fuel bundle 160.
  • the lateral sides of the passage may be at least partially bound by the surrounding fuel elements 270 and the passage need not include a continuous, physical sidewall.
  • Spacers 272, including the fuel bundle end caps, may be configured such that they each include a corresponding spacer aperture, or gap to accommodate axial insertion of the coolant downflow tube 172 through the spacers.
  • the coolant tube passage 180 has a passage diameter 278 that is sized to be generally equal to or larger than the coolant downflow tube diameter 246.
  • the passage 180 is sized to removably receive the coolant fluid downflow tube 172 provided in the fuel channel assembly when the fuel bundle is inserted into the fuel bundle cavity.
  • the tube passage 180 extends the entire length of the fuel bundle 160, from the first end face 242 to the second end face 268, to enable the coolant fluid downflow tube 172 to pass through the fuel bundle 160.
  • the passage 180 is generally centred within the bundle 160, e.g. is coaxial with the fuel bundle axis 182, and the plurality of fuel elements 270 are positioned to laterally surround the coolant fluid downflow tube 172 when the fuel bundle is received within the fuel channel assembly 150.
  • the fuel bundle 160 is coaxial with the coolant downflow tube 172, the liner tube 174 and the pressure tube 162.
  • the passage 180 may not be centered within the fuel bundle.
  • the passage 180 has an axial cross-sectional area that is less than the axial cross-sectional area of the complete fuel bundle.
  • the cross-sectional area of the passage may be between about 10% and about 50%, or more of the fuel bundle cross-sectional area.
  • the passage axial cross-sectional area that is greater than the axial cross-sectional area of at least some of the fuel elements.
  • the passage cross-sectional area is between about 150% and about 400%, or more of the cross-sectional area of the fuel elements.
  • FIG. 14 and Figure 15 another example of a nuclear reactor 1100 includes a calandria 1102 containing a moderator, and a plenum vessel 1112.
  • the reactor 1100 is generally similar to the reactor 100, and like features are identified by like reference numerals indexed by 1000.
  • the fuel channel assembly 1150 is configured so that a portion of the coolant downflow tube 1172 extends through the interior 1126 of the outlet plenum 1124 and is coupled to the lid 1132 of the outlet plenum 1124, in fluid communication with the inlet plenum 1120.
  • the coolant inlet 1156 of the fuel channel assembly 1150 (the upper end 1234 of the coolant downflow tube 1172) is located outside the liner tube 1174 and above the coolant outlet 1158 (the upper end 1200 of the liner tube1174).
  • the portion of the coolant downflow tube 1172 extending through the outlet plenum 1124 can be thermally insulated, using any suitable mechanism including those described herein, to help reduce heat transfer and thermal stresses.
  • neither the liner tube 1174 nor the pressure tube 1162 need to be provided with apertures or ports to allow coolant to flow through the sidewalls thereof.
  • the lid 1132 of the upper plenum 1124 is provided with a plurality of openings 1300 to receive respective coolant downflow tubes 1172.
  • the coolant downflow tubes 1172 may be connected, and sealed to the lid 1132 using any suitable coupling or mechanism.
  • each opening 1300 is provided with a mounting collar 1302 that is welded (or otherwise fixedly coupled) to the upper surface of the lid 1132.
  • the collar 1302 includes a frusto-conical seal face 1304 that is configured to mate with a corresponding angled seal face 1306 provided on a flange 1308 on the coolant downflow tube 1172.
  • the seal face 1306 can include a groove or other recess for receiving a metallic C-ring or other sealing member.
  • the faces 1304, 1306 can be configured such that contact between the metal faces provides a generally fluid tight seal.
  • a compression member 1310 is threadingly received within each collar 1302.
  • Torque applied to the compression member 1310 can be converted to axial compression force acting on the flange 1308, thereby urging the mating seal faces 1304, 1306 together.
  • the collars 1302 may be integrally formed/ machined with the lid 1132. This configuration may eliminate the need to couple and seal the collars to the lid 1132.
  • coolant downflow tube 1172 can be removed from the liner tube 1174 without requiring disassembly of the liner tube 1174. This may enable all of the coolant downflow tubes 1172 to be removed from their respective liner tubes 1174 by lifting the outlet plenum 1124 out of the plenum vessel 1112, optionally without having to remove the lid 1132 of the outlet plenum 1124. Alternatively, the coolant downflow tubes 1172 may be removed by removing the lid 1132 of the outlet plenum 1124 and leaving the rest of the outlet plenum 1124 in place. This may help facilitate refuelling and maintenance of the liner tubes 1174 and/or pressure tubes 1162.
  • the coolant flow tubes 1172 and liner tubes 1174 may be connected to the outlet plenum 1124 to form a fuel assembly such that the whole assembly, including the fuel bundle 1160, coolant downflow tube 1172 and liner tube 1174, can be removed in a single operation, leaving the pressure tubes 1162 in place.
  • the coolant downflow tube 1172 can be formed from a material that is sufficiently flexible to allow a slight misalignment between the lid 1132 of the outlet plenum 1124 and the interior of the liner tube 1174 and the passage 1180 in the fuel bundle while the reactor 1100 is in use.
  • a schematic representation of the coolant flow through the reactor 1100 is show in Figure 20 .
  • FIG. 21 another example of a reactor 2100 is schematically illustrated.
  • the reactor 2100 is generally similar to the reactor 100, and like features are identified by like reference numerals indexed by 2000.
  • the insulator 2216 in the fuel channel assembly 2150 is provided outside the pressure tube 2162 (e.g. between the pressure tube 2162 and the moderator).
  • the pressure tubes 2162 will operate a higher temperature than the pressure tubes in reactors 100 or 1100 as they are directly exposed to the high temperature coolant flow.
  • This design may be suitable for using in reactors in which the operating temperatures of the coolant flow are within the range of operability for the desired pressure tube material, which may be a zirconium based alloy.
  • a practical upper limit for the operating temperature may be about 350°C or less (at about 16.5 MPa saturation pressure).
  • the use of an external insulator 2216 may help facilitate the use of a low temperature and low pressure moderator.
  • the insulator 2216 may be a gas-filled chamber outside the pressure tube 2162.
  • an additional calandria tube 2400 could be provided around the outside of the pressure tube 2162 and insulating gas 2402 provided within the annulus between the calandria tube 2400 and the pressure tube 2162.
  • the gas 2402 may be any suitable gas, including, for example nitrogen and carbon dioxide. Providing a gas-filled annulus may also help facilitate pressure tube leak detection by monitoring quality and/or moisture content of the annulus gas.
  • a schematic representation of reactor 100 shows examples of pressure tubes 162 that are submerged within a liquid, heavy-water moderator. Enabling at least some thermal transfer between the liner tube 174 and the pressure tube 162 may allow the moderator to function as a supplementary or back-up cooling mechanism to help cool the fuel channels 150. For example, in the event of a fuel channel assembly 150 overheating or a breakdown of the insulator 216, the pressure tube sidewall 256 may be exposed to the high temperature coolant. At least some of this heat may be transferred through the pressure tube sidewall 256 into the moderator liquid.
  • the reactor 100 may include one or more moderator cooling systems to help maintain the temperature of the moderator in the event that it is needed to absorb heat from the fuel channel assemblies/ pressure tube.
  • the reactor includes an active cooling system 500 and an independent passive cooling system 502.
  • the active cooling system 500 includes a moderator outlet port 504, located toward the top of the calandria 102, to draw the relatively warm moderator into the active cooling loop 506.
  • the loop also includes a pump 508 for circulating the moderator within the loop, a heat exchanger 510 for cooling the moderator to a desired temperature, and a moderator inlet port 512 provided toward the bottom of the calandria 102.
  • the passive cooling system 502 includes a moderator outlet port 514 located toward the top of the calandria 102, to receive relatively warm moderator fluid.
  • a moderator outlet port 514 located toward the top of the calandria 102, to receive relatively warm moderator fluid.
  • fluid within the inlet of the passive cooling loop 516 will tend to flow upward within vertical column 518.
  • the hydraulic head pressure within the column decreases, and may decrease to a level at which the moderator fluid boils and becomes a two-phase mixture. Moderator vapour continues to rise within the column, further reducing the static pressure in the column and promoting further boiling of the liquid within the column 518.
  • the moderator vapour is then passed through a passive heat exchanger 520, optionally submerged in a secondary cooling pool 522 or air cooled, where it condenses and flows back into the calandria 102 via moderator inlet port 524.
  • Additional moderator fluid may be provided by an optional moderator make up source 526 in communication with the passive loop 516, or optionally active loop 506.
  • thermal convective forces may auto-circulate fluid through the passive cooling circuit 502 without the need for active pumps or other drive mechanisms. Such passive cooling may be beneficial in instances where electrical power is not available.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)
EP17198778.7A 2012-06-13 2013-06-13 Réacteur nucléaire à tubes de force équipé d'un modérateur à basse pression et d'un ensemble de canal de combustible Active EP3301683B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201261659219P 2012-06-13 2012-06-13
US201261659229P 2012-06-13 2012-06-13
EP13803986.2A EP2862178B1 (fr) 2012-06-13 2013-06-13 Réacteur nucléaire à tube de force avec modérateur à basse pression et ensemble canal de combustible
PCT/CA2013/050449 WO2013185232A1 (fr) 2012-06-13 2013-06-13 Réacteur nucléaire à tube de force avec modérateur à basse pression et ensemble canal de combustible

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EP17198778.7A Active EP3301683B1 (fr) 2012-06-13 2013-06-13 Réacteur nucléaire à tubes de force équipé d'un modérateur à basse pression et d'un ensemble de canal de combustible
EP13803986.2A Active EP2862178B1 (fr) 2012-06-13 2013-06-13 Réacteur nucléaire à tube de force avec modérateur à basse pression et ensemble canal de combustible
EP13803781.7A Withdrawn EP2862175A4 (fr) 2012-06-13 2013-06-13 Réacteur nucléaire à tubes de force avec un ensemble canal de modérateur et de combustible à basse pression

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EP13803781.7A Withdrawn EP2862175A4 (fr) 2012-06-13 2013-06-13 Réacteur nucléaire à tubes de force avec un ensemble canal de modérateur et de combustible à basse pression

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US (2) US20150155059A1 (fr)
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WO2011130841A1 (fr) 2010-04-23 2011-10-27 Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited/Énergie Atomique Du Canada Limitée Réacteur à tubes de force comprenant un modérateur pressurisé
CA2881784C (fr) 2012-06-13 2023-03-07 Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited/Energie Atomique Du Canada Limitee Ensemble canal de combustible et grappe de combustible pour reacteur nucleaire
EP2869306A1 (fr) * 2013-10-30 2015-05-06 Thor Energy AS Assemblage de combustible pour réacteur nucléaire
US9997262B2 (en) * 2013-12-26 2018-06-12 Nuscale Power, Llc Integral reactor pressure vessel tube sheet
US9812229B2 (en) * 2014-03-04 2017-11-07 Paschal-Gross Enterprises, Inc. Safe geometry vacuum design
CA2987977A1 (fr) 2015-06-23 2016-12-29 Atomic Energy Of Canada Limited/Energie Atomique Du Canada Limitee Accouplement hydraulique de croisement
ITUA20163715A1 (it) * 2016-05-04 2017-11-04 Luciano Cinotti Reattore nucleare con elementi di combustibile muniti di condotto di raffreddamento
WO2018204857A2 (fr) * 2017-05-05 2018-11-08 Terrapower, Llc Réacteur à tubes de force refroidi au gaz
CN109065190A (zh) * 2018-08-10 2018-12-21 中国核动力研究设计院 一种带内平台的反应堆压力容器整体顶盖
KR102140781B1 (ko) * 2019-06-04 2020-08-03 두산중공업 주식회사 열교환장치 및 이를 포함하는 가스 터빈
US11387008B2 (en) * 2019-12-31 2022-07-12 Ge-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas Llc Passive containment cooling system for boiling water reactor and method of installation
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CN111951985B (zh) * 2020-07-15 2022-10-18 四川大学 一种模块化空间核反应堆发电单元

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WO2013185232A1 (fr) 2013-12-19
EP2862178B1 (fr) 2017-11-01
EP2862175A1 (fr) 2015-04-22
EP2862175A4 (fr) 2016-03-09
EP2862178A4 (fr) 2016-03-02
EP3301683B1 (fr) 2019-08-07
US20150155060A1 (en) 2015-06-04
CA2876521A1 (fr) 2013-12-19
CA2876521C (fr) 2021-10-05
WO2013185229A1 (fr) 2013-12-19
US20150155059A1 (en) 2015-06-04
CA2876524A1 (fr) 2013-12-19
EP2862178A1 (fr) 2015-04-22

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